Facelifted Mercedes Vito van breaks cover with extra safety kit

There's a new look for the Mercedes Vito and electric e-Vito coming in 2024, as the German firm aims to make its commercial vehicles more upmarket than ever. Launched at the same time as the Vito-based V-Class and EQV luxury MPVs, Mercedes says that it is now focused on a 'premium strategy' for its commercial vehicles, in the hope of marking them out from rivals such as the Citroen Dispatch, Renault Trafic and all-new Ford Transit Custom.

As before, the Vito will come in panel van and Crew Van styles, while the Vito Tourer will offer a more basic MPV when compared with the upmarket V-Class variant. Diesel and electric powertrains will be carried over, but there's a new enlarged grille, while Mercedes' Multibeam LED headlights with adaptive main beam function will be available on selected grades.

Inside, the Vito benefits from a 10.25-inch touchscreen, plus instruments containing a full-colour 5.5-inch trip display. The new infotainment will incorporate the MBUX system for the first time, giving Vito users the same functionality as found in Mercedes passenger cars, as well as high-spec versions of the Sprinter large van.

In terms of safety kit, vans usually have to give second best to passenger cars in terms of equipment, but the new Vito has plenty to offer. Safety features include auto lights and wipers, intelligent speed assist, brake assist with cross-traffic alert, blind-spot warning, active lane assist, speed limit detection and a reversing camera.

More safety kit is available via a driving assistance package that includes adaptive cruise control, 360-degree cameras and active speed limit assist, while another parking package includes park assist, the 360-degree camera system, trailer assist and pedestrian alert.

Powertrains have yet to be confirmed, but expect the current line-up to be carried over - the Vito will remain Mercedes' mid-sized van until its new Van Electric Architecture (VAN.EA) line-up is revealed from 2026 onwards. This means diesel power for the Vito, while the e-Vito will continue with the updated electric powertrain that was launched recently, although expect efficiency gains to be included when all versions of the Vito go on sale in 2024.

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